Water vapor is water in its gas state. Here’s a breakdown of the different states of water to clarify:
Solid: In this state, water is ice. Ice forms when water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or below, where the molecules are closely packed together in a structured lattice.
Liquid: In this state, water is what we commonly refer to as liquid water. This is the state most familiar to us and occurs at temperatures between 0 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit to 212 degrees Fahrenheit) under standard atmospheric pressure.
Gas: Water vapor is the gaseous state of water. It occurs when liquid water evaporates, typically at temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius, especially when heat is applied. In this state, the water molecules are far apart and move freely, allowing them to fill the container they are in.
Explanation of Water Vapor
Evaporation: When liquid water is heated, its molecules gain energy and move faster. Eventually, some of these molecules overcome the forces holding them in the liquid state and escape into the air as vapor.
Humidity: The amount of water vapor present in the air is referred to as humidity. Higher humidity means more water vapor is present.
In summary, water vapor is the gaseous form of water, distinctly different from its solid (ice) and liquid (water) forms.